The pilot was flying a local, personal flight from his personal airstrip after sundown. A witness who heard the Beech A45 before the crash reported that the engine made a “sputtering” sound.
The airplane hit two tall trees and came to rest inverted on the approach end of the runway in Climax, Georgia. The pilot died in the crash.
The propeller did not exhibit indications of rotational damage. Although the right fuel tank was breached from impact and no fuel was found inside, the left tank contained 11 gallons of fuel.
An annual inspection was completed on the airframe and engine about 2.2 hours before the accident. An examination of the engine fuel lines found the throttle and metering unit outlet AN “B” nut was less than finger-tight. When the fuel manifold valve cap was opened, fuel leaked from the loose throttle and metering unit outlet AN “B” nut.
Compressed air was passed through the throttle and metering unit inlet fuel line; bubbles and fuel could be seen coming out of the fuel outlet AN fitting.
The condition of the fuel lines was an inspection item specifically noted as completed during the annual inspection.
The throttle and metering unit outlet “B” nut most likely was not adequately secured during the inspection and backed off during the 2.2-hour previous flight and the 12-minute accident flight, which subsequently resulted in a total loss of engine power.
The pilot was likely attempting to return to the runway, as the landing gear were extended and the flaps were up at the time of the accident. However, since the accident occurred concurrently with the end of civil twilight, it is possible that he did not see the trees on final approach due to the darkening conditions.
Probable cause: The failure of maintenance personnel to ensure that the throttle and fuel metering unit AN “B” nut was secured, which resulted in a total loss of engine power in flight and a subsequent collision with trees while attempting to land after sunset.
NTSB Identification: ERA17FA107
This February 2017 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I abhor the idea that my life is in the hands of a hopefully competent A & P. All it takes is a guy who had an altercation with his wife on his way out the door. He forgets the nut or safety wire or just says the heck with it because he’s bummed out. I can’t check everything. Next thing I know I’m literally up a tree. We need to join together and share information. If you have a bad experience, share it with others. Perhaps someone could host a server.
Generally the FAA recommends it to the DOJ and a federal criminal charge. Especially if pencil whipped or sloppy work.
This is why I became an LSRM-A and on my way to an A&P. How can a pilot spend decades flying and not become his own A&P is beyond me. At least become a repairman and be paranoid.
The quality of cars in the 1960s was crappy compared too today’s… and planes haven’t evolved much since then.
Light sports are more modern but hardly anyone can afford them, and the old planes have terrible quality and are worked on by young mechanics out of A&P school with barely enough experience to torque a screw. And most of the time the part 141 shops have car mechanics supervised by a single A&P.
The first few hours after any maintenance is one of the most likely times for a failure of some sort.
I always check any work what was done on my aircraft, since as the pilot/owner, I’m responsible for the aircraft being airworthy.
So, the first hour after maint. I fly a number of laps of the pattern. Then I land and recheck the work again.
Only then will I venture away from the airport and consider taking a passenger.
One thing I remember is that , ‘takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory.’
Were any of those maintenance personnel found guilty of negligence and prosecuted? Just wondering……always a good idea to do a very thorough inspection after an annual. Once found the aileron cable turnbuckles had not been safety wired after an annual.